Computer Software Solutions Ltd wrote:
>
> Hello All
>
> I discovered that there were bees everywhere -
> the crown board was absolutely covered with bees, and they had started
> building comb and placing honey in it up through one of the feed holes.
> I spoke to a few beekeepers about it, and most said to leave the hive alone, as any addition of space could cause brood chilling.
>
Hi Tom,

It is my opion that by adding another box on top of a hive "which is as
populated as you have said" will not cause chilled brood.  The bee make
no real attempt at warming the hive, just the brood which they cluster
around.  By adding the additional box I believe you are correct in
assuming that this will give the bees room to expand and will help in
preventing swarming.  I think the concern your beekeeping acquintances
are referring to is when it turns cold quickly after a warm spell.  This
will cause the bees to cluster into a tighter ball thereby possibly
exposing some brood.  I always put an extra deep on in the early spring
on the most congested hives when I put the Apistan in for mites.  I move
the extra deeps off usually just after I remove the Apistan and make
another hive.  I replace it with a honey super.  My think was I would
rather lose some brood than a swarm.

>
> Thanks for comments
>

--
Kent Stienburg
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